466 BLINKIN
please everyone very much, and put an end to the whole dispute.
All became suddenly dumb ; there was a tense silence, as at the first of the two recitals of the Eighteen Bene- dictions; the women only cast inquiring looks at Mal- kehle and Breindel, who both felt their cheeks hot. Breindel, who, ever since the wise Malkehle had spoken such golden words, had not left her side, now stepped forward, and her voice trembled with emotion and pleas- ant excitement as she said : "Malkehle and I think like this : that we ought to go to Chavvehle, she being so wise and so well-educated, a doctor's wife, and tell her the whole story from beginning to end, so that she may ad- vise us, and if you are ashamed to speak to her your- selves, you should leave it to us two, only on the condi- tion that you go with us. Don't be frightened, she is kind; she will listen to us."
A faint smile, glistening like diamond dust, shone on all faces; their eyes brightened and their shoulders straightened, as though just released from a heavy bur- den. They all knew Chavvehle for a good and gracious woman, who was certain to give them some advice; she did many such kindnesses without being asked ; she had started the school, and she taught their children for nothing; she always accompanied her husband on his visits to the sick-room, and often left a coin of her own money behind to buy a fowl for the invalid. It was even said that she had written about them in the news- papers ! She was very fond of them. When she talked with them, her manner was simple, as though they were her equals, and she would ask them all about everything,
